Combination controlled actuating device

ABSTRACT

A combination control device for rotative members such as ignition locks, home locks and the like wherein rotation of the actuating member (key) is prohibited until the various elements of the control device are in preselected positions. Unauthorized manipulation of the device will result in the sounding of an alarm if the device is wired to do so.

United States Patent 91 Pecott I [111 3,723,682 1 Mar. 27, 1973 [541 COMBINATION CONTROLLED ACTUATING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Clyde E. Pecott, Wethersfield,

Conn.

[73] Assignee: Safe Key Lock Company, Rocky Hill, Conn.

221 Filed: Mar.23, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 127,143

[52] US. Cl. ..200/6l.64, 70/184, 70/213, 70/284, 70/312, 70/425, 70/443, 340/274 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05b 45/08 [58] Field of Search ..70/284, 288, 287, 312, 425,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,166,970 1/1916 Clark ..70/2l3 X 1,479,965 l/1924 loor ..70/213 86,005 l/1869 Dana 1,307,628 6/1919 Gottesman ..200/61.64

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 6,918 3/1913 Great Britain ..70/425 58,251 8/1891 Germany I 752 7/1884 ltaly ..70/284 Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr. Attorney-Eldon H. Luther [57] ABSTRACT A combination control device for rotative members such as ignition locks, home locks and the like wherein rotation of the actuating member (key) is prohibited until the various elements of the control device are in preselected positions. Unauthorized manipulation of the device will result in the sounding of an alarm if the device is wired to do so.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures COMBINATION CONTROLLED ACTUATING DEVICE BRIEF DESCRIPTION The invention is concerned with a simplified and economical combination type control accessory for use with existing key-operated locks with it being particularly adapted for use with such locks without the need for modifying the existing lock in any way. The combination control device of the invention is positioned over the key-controlled lock in a manner such that it may not be readily removed. The key to operate the lock is then inserted through a suitable slot in the combination control device and on into the lock in conventional manner. However the combination control device will not allow the key to be turned in the lock until the elements of the combination device are in their preselected position known only by the authorized operator.

The control device of the invention includes a body portion that is made up of two parts between which is rotatably mounted a disc member that is scalloped at its periphery. Mounted in the base member about the periphery of the disc are a plurality of rotative pins. These pins have recesses generally in the plane of the disc with the arrangement being such that when the pins are in one rotative rotative position they are disposed within a complementary relieved portion or scallop in the periphery of the disc while when the pins are in another rotative position the disc is free to rotate about its axis within the base member-with the extremities of the disc then passing within the recesses of the pins upon rotation of the disc. Each of the pins includes a knob for rotating it about its axis with there being indicia provided to indicate the relative location or rotative position of each of the pins. A centrally disposed passage or opening is provided in the base member and in alignment with this opening is formed a slot in the disc. The base member is adapted to be mounted over a key-operated lock with which the device is to be used and the key for operating the lock is to snugly pass through the slot formed in the disc. Thus when each of the pins are in their proper rotative position the key may be inserted in the lock by passing through the disc and rotated as required to open the lock. However, if the pins are not-in their proper rotative position, rotation of the disc is prevented along with manipulation of the lock. The combination controlled device is preferably arranged as part of an alarm circuit so that an alarm will ring or an alarm will sound when unauthorized operation is attempted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of the control device of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along line 241% FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the control device of the invention taken generally from line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the control device.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of an alarm circuit into which the control device may be incorporated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to designate like elements, the illustrative and preferred embodiment of the invention depicted therein includes the control device having a body portion 10 made ofa nonelectrically conductive material such as a suitable plastic and including base member 12 and cover member 14. The base and cover members 12 and 14 are provided with axially aligned cylindrical openings 16 and 18 and base 12 is also provided with a forwardly facing recess 20 within which is rotatably mounted disc member 22. In order to retain disc member 22 in axial alignment with body 10 and accordingly with openings 16 and 18 in the body member there are provided on disc 22 the pins 24 which extend in a rearward direction and are snugly received within the opening 16.

The periphery of disc 22 is provided with recesses 26 so that the outer periphery of the disc is effectively scalloped. Rotation of the disc within the body 10 is controlled by the rotative pins 28 which are, in the illustrative organization, symmetrically disposed about the disc 22 at the outer region thereof and in complementary relation with the recesses 26. Each of the pins 28 is provided with a recess 30 that is in the plane of the disc 22. The diameter of disc 22 and the magnitude of recesses 26 and 30 are such that when pin 28 is rotated to a position such that the recess 30 is facing radially outward with respect to the axis of disc 22 a portion of the pin will extend into the recess 26 thereby preventing rotation of disc 22. However when pin 28 is rotated so that the recess 30 is directed radially inwardly with respect to the axis of disc 22 the disc may be freely rotated about its axis the lands of the disc or in other words the regions in between the recesses 26 will pass within the recess 30 of the pin. Accordingly since there is a pin 28 complementary with each recess 26 each of the pins must be in their proper rotative position before disc 22 may be rotated about its axis.

The pins 28 are received in aligned openings 32 and 34 in the cover l4-and the base member 12 respectively. The inner end of opening 34 is suitably counterbored to receive the complementary lateral projection 36 formed on the pin 28 to thereby prevent axial movement of thepin with respect to the body 10. Secured to the outer end of each of the pins 28 as by means of set screw 38 is the operating knob 40 which is preferably provided with suitable indicia 42 to indicate therelative position of each of the pins.

The control device of the invention is for use with a key-operated lock and the body 10 is to be positioned 55.

directly over the lock so that the slot 44 in disc 22 is in alignment with the key slot of the lock. The body-may be secured together and secured in place by means of the mounting screws 46 which may preferably be of the clutch-head type to prevent the control device from being readily removed.

In installing the device of the invention it is oriented so that the slot 44 is in alignment with the complementary slot of the key-operated lock so that the key 50 may be inserted through slot 44 and into'the key slot of the lock. When in this position recesses 26 are complementary with the pins 28 so that the pins may be freely rotated with their being sufficient tolerance so that the pins do not contact the disc 22. When it is thus desired to actuate the key-operated lock each of the pins is then rotated to the position where the recess 30 is directed radially inward with respect to the disc 22. The disc may then be rotated about its axis and accordingly key 50 may then be turned to actuate the lock. If any one of the pins is not correctly oriented the disc 22 will be unable to turn with rotation of the disc being obstructed by any such pin and with the disc upon attempting to be rotated moving into engagement with such pin.

If desired the control device of the invention may be incorporated into an alarm circuit as depicted in FIG. 5. This circuit includes a source of potential 52, alarm 54 and the control device designated generally 56. The pins 28, disc 22 and key 50 are all fabricated of a material that is electrically conductive while as previously mentioned the body is of a material that is not electrically conductive. The pins 28 are electrically interconnected by means of the snap spring 58 which is received in a suitable recess formed at the inner end of each pin. Since disc 22 will contact one of the pins 28 when rotation is attempted without first properly positioning each of the pins, as will occur in unauthorized operation of the device, this contact will complete the electrical alarm circuit through the conductors 60 and 62 and accordingly sound the alarm 54. It will be understood that the conductor 60 is connected with the lock member into which the key 50 is to be inserted.

Each of the pins is separately identified on the front the cover 14 as indicated in FIG. 1.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that such is merely illustrative and not restrictive and that variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes as fall within the purview of my invention.

What i claim is:

l. A control device comprising a body member having a base and a cover both of which are of an electrically non-conductive material and which have coaxial generally centrally disposed openings, a disc of an electrically conductive material intermediate said base and cover mounted for rotation coaxially of said openings, a plurality of rotatable pin members also of an electrically conductive material axially parallel with said opening and mounted in said body member about the outer region of said disc and effective in one rotative position to obstruct rotation of the disc and in another rotative position to be free of any such obstruction, said pin members extending from said cover and being independently rotatable about their axis with indicia indicating the relative rotative position of each pin, said disc having suitable means for effecting rotation thereof about its rotative axis, said pins being electrically connected together by means of a snap ring received in a suitable recess in each of the pin members whereby the pin members and disc can be connected into an electrical circuit to provide a warning when unauthorized actuation of the control device is attempted. 

1. A control device comprising a body member having a base and a cover both of which are of an electrically non-conductive material and which have coaxial generally centrally disposed openings, a disc of an electrically conductive material intermediate said base and cover mounted for rotation coaxially of said openings, a plurality of rotatable pin members also of an electrically conductive material axially parallel with said opening and mounted in said body member about the outer region of said disc and effective in one rotative position to obstruct rotation of the disc and in another rotative position to be free of any such obstruction, said pin members extending from said cover and being independently rotatable about their axis with indicia indicating the relative rotative position of each pin, said disc having suitable means for effecting rotation thereof about its rotative axis, said pins being electrically connected together by means of a snap ring received in a suitable recess in each of the pin members whereby the pin members and disc can be connected into an electrical circuit to provide a warning when unauthorized actuation of the control device is attempted. 